This particular one it looks beautiful as a bright polished stainless on an 8 inch barrel which is a little atypical. What we don’t know is if it was factory polished which makes it much more valuable or if it was hand polish by someone else which decreases the value. The only true way to verify that is a letter from Colt which will give you information including the made in factory finish when it left the factory.


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So would it be worth getting an expedited letter from colt prior to sale? You say atypical so that always lead me to be a little more skeptical.

 

Yes I would recommend that letter especially if it comes back as true factory polish it would be worth significantly more I think. It could also prove it’s not factory polish. Good luck!


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Why are you buying - because you really like the Python, or to eventually flip?

You need to figure that one out before you pony up.

The profit margin on guns isn't what you might think - the margin on 'collectables' isn't either - so if you're buying for the first reason, buy the best you can find, shoot it and enjoy it - they don't come with a silk pillow and the 'Holy Book of Pythons' to read and revere.

Pythons are as bad as Single Action Armys for skullduggery - enhancements abound - so learning your proposed collecting field is absolutely paramount.

There are so many fake boxes today that 'I' don't add value to their presence - I just take the easy way out, and figure that they're spurious - plus, the originals as well as the fakes were 'so' poorly-made that many new owners tossed them - they were kind of an insult to mate them up with Colt's highest-dollar handgun.

 

I’ve learned to spot the fake boxes, especially by the so called “original labels”. This is a buy and keep, not for resale. I’ve only ever sold one of my guns in my life and that was to replace it with something else for my collection.

 

With all the pictures you posted, you do not have any that show things I would look for - serial number, roll marks, VP, rampant colt, forcing cone, inside if ejector channel, rear of cylinder, side plate fit to frame, etc. This is probably a nickeled Python, but can’t tell without things I mention above. Also cannot tell if original finish or it was sent to Fords or similar. No need for a letter unless this turns out to be an unusual configuration. It doesn’t look that way. Just needs better pictures. One thing this gun is not - it is not unfired. I see powder burns on front of cylinder. If this is a clean, original and correct either nickel or stainless, it is worth $2,500, but need better pictures to tell for sure.

 

Only other one I have that.

 

Please note that pictures for authentication are best taken in natural light in the shade at 90 degree angle to the area being photographed that are close enough to the highlighted area or with high enough resolution where one can zero into the area of interest. While the pictures you posted are very nice and probably came from the person trying to sell the gun, they are just “marketing” pictures meant to impress, but not reveal the details of whether this is a $3,500 gun (if original 8” stainless) or a $1,200 gun (if refinished nickel).

 

Now we know from serial that this is not a stainless gun since gun was made in 1981. There is also no typical S in the channel, and stainless did not show up until 1983. The 8” guns in blue and nickel showed up in 1980-81, so there are two possibilities. One, it’s a factory 1981 nickel 8” which is below marked at $2,500 (worth closer to $3,000-$3,500). Two, this is a blued gun that was refinished in nickel in which case it’s worth $1,200-$1,500. You have two choices to verify it. Either get an expedited Colt letter for $175 or clear pictures of roll marks, VP, rampant colt and side plate fit to verify original finish visually.

 

I’ll get some better pics at the right angle to show roll marks. Your insight is invaluable sir.

 

Two things. One, I suggest avoiding Bryant Ridge (Gunbroker link you posted). Two, here is an example from a respected dealer on how to take pictures.

GunBroker.com - Error

Photos 8-11 are the kind I would want to see to verify finish is original.

 

And before you ask what’s wrong with Bryant Ridge, here is just one glaring example of a gun that is ending today and hurts my eyes to even look at it. A scarce .38NP configuration, but obviously refinished, and on top of that refinished incorrectly. This poor gun was dual tone when it left the factory.

GunBroker.com - Error

 

And before you ask what’s wrong with Bryant Ridge, here is just one glaring example of a gun that is ending today and hurts my eyes to even look at it. A scarce .38NP configuration, but obviously refinished, and in top of that refinished incorrectly. This poor gun was dual tone when it left the factory.

GunBroker.com - Error

So basically they refinish most of their guns. I’ve been trying to stay away from these sellers but the python I posted above looked right based on my lack of expertise. 04Turbostang is one ive stayed away from as the boxes he uses are clearly fakes, not even using the correct insert most of the time.

 

I've purchased a couple of Colts from Bryant Ridge...never a problem and made good deals each time. One was a WWII issue Official Police they even said in the ad it was...I was the only bidder and got it for probably less than half what it real value is. Maybe having such a reputation as they do scared other potential buyers away.

I have seen some of their pieces on Gunbroker that were obviously not what was represented. Caveat Emptor.

 

GunBroker.com - Error

This specific gun is questionable. His pictures are what I call “marketing” pictures. They do not show enough detail, and where they do, it’s questionable to me.

First, most pictures are overexposed which is a good way to hide micro scratches on nickel guns. Second, the front of the cylinder is 100% clean, but the forcing cone and firing pin/lock area have remnants of powder. This means that at the very least this gun has been cleaned up. Third, pictures of the rampant colt and barrel roll mark are very iffy which could imply a refinish. The letters in PYTHON are inconsistent, and the horse is blurry. This would be enough for me to pass on this gun.

 

I have a friend selling this python

How long have you known this friend? How long has he had the gun?

Those are two things that can determine if a gun is what it appears to be. Like buying a used car for my kids first car, I'd call an advertised one, asking "How long have you had it?" If they answer "oh, a few months" I move on. Why let that guy do the flipping and profit taking at my expense? It's rude to ask, but try to determine where he bought it and what he paid, if he has had it less than 10 years.

On the other hand, if you know your friend has had the Python since the 90s (pre Python bubble), you're safer.

 

I second the opinion on BR. Misrepresentation and photoshopping are "normal" for this seller. Just one of the latest examples: SUPERB COLT PRE PYTHON THREE-FIFTY-SEVEN .357mag REVOLVER 1960MFG. ANIB NR - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 878499544. That is NOT a 1960 manufactured revolver. The serial number dates production to 1956. The box and grips are also obviously not correct for 1960. I communicated this to the seller the very first day of the auction. He has had sufficient time to do his own research and correct the advertisement but chose to do nothing. The correction would actually work in his favor as the earlier gun is more desirable. He just doesn't give a damn...

 

I second the opinion on BR. Misrepresentation and photoshopping are "normal" for this seller. Just one of the latest examples: SUPERB COLT PRE PYTHON THREE-FIFTY-SEVEN .357mag REVOLVER 1960MFG. ANIB NR - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 878499544. That is NOT a 1960 manufactured revolver. The serial number dates production to 1956. The box and grips are also obviously not correct for 1960. I communicated this to the seller the very first day of the auction. He has had sufficient time to do his own research and correct the advertisement but chose to do nothing. The correction would actually work in his favor as the earlier gun is more desirable. He just doesn't give a damn...

Do you have any sellers on gun broker that you recommend as reliable. I’m too much of a noob to spot refinishes and such so I really just have to rely on looking up the serial number on colts website and my untrained eye. I’m trying to pick up two snake guns yet for my collection in the python and diamondback but can’t afford to spend a fortune, nor do I want some junk refinish.

 

Looks like magically every gun he has is in 99.9% condition.

 

"One thing this gun is not - it is not unfired. I see powder burns on front of cylinder."
WW, If you look closely at the OP's pics you'll notice the powder burns on the front of the cylinder are only around every other chamber. This might indicate a truly "unfired" gun since leaving the factory. The burn pattern appear to be from the factory test fire as was customary at the time.